Watson News

Castle Toys and Games Hosting Fundraiser on Autism Awareness Day

To commemorate World Autism Awareness Day on Friday, April 2, Castle Toys and Games in Beaver, PA will donate 5% of all sales that day to The Watson Institute.  Castle Toys is located at 682 Third Street, Beaver, PA  15009.  Find the perfect gift for your favorite toy enthusiast and support The Watson Institute!  Thank you Castle Toys and Gifts for your support!  Call Castle Toys at 724-775-5067 for more information and directions.

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The Watson Institute 30th Anniversary Pro-Am Golf Tournament

June 4 at Allegheny Country Club

Assemble your foursome for Watson's annual Pro-Am at one of the Pittsburgh area's finest golf clubs, Allegheny Country Club in Sewickley, PA.  Foursome and twosome sponsorships are available as well as evening dinner packages and program advertising.  Click here for a sponsorship form.

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Watson Pro-Am Raffle Tickets

In conjunction with the Pro-Am Golf Tournament, The Watson Institute is offering 2 exciting raffle packages: 

The Pittsburgh Sports Fan Package

A $50 ticket buys a chance to win a sports entertainment package including tickets to Steelers AND Pirates games in the 2010-11 seasons.

The Watson Institute Greece Trip Raffle

A $100 ticket buys a chance for a trip to Greece including accommodations and airfare with a value of $10,000.

Winners will be drawn on June 4.  Purchase tickets online by clicking on the arrow to the right in the Make a Donation or Payment box and select Purchase Raffle Tickets.

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TEACCH Training Scheduled for Summer 2010

The Watson Institute will offer two sessions this summer of TEACCH (Treatment and Education for Autism and related Communication-handicapped CHildren) training.   TEACCH Training is a week-long seminar, offered by The Watson Institute in collaboration with staff from Division TEACCH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The sessions include lectures, small group discussions and experience in a demonstration classroom.  TEACCH training seminars provide a hands-on learning experience for professionals with autism and other behavioral, learning and communication disorders.

Summer 2010 sessions are:  July 26-30 and August 9-13.  A one day session will be held on August 9.  Click here for a brochure and registration form.

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ACCLAIM @ Mercyhurst

The Watson Institute's ACCLAIM Summer Program will be offered as a residential  camp at Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA in 2010.  ACCLAIM is specifically designed for college-bound teenagers with Asperger's Disorder and high-functioning Autistic Disorder.  The program focuses on the skills necessary to succeed at college and includes therapeutic, learning and social components.  Watson developed ACCLAIM to help adolescents get a "preview" of college prior to enrollment.  Watson will also operate ACCLAIM this summer at The University of Pittsburgh, Robert Morris University and Community College of Allegheny County.

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Watson Education Consultant Selected as Finalist for ABOARD's Grandin Award

Bonnie Jamieson, an Education Consultant for The Watson Institute, has been selected as a finalist for the Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders (ABOARD) Grandin Award.  This award is presented to an individual who has most clearly contributed to maximizing the potential and possibilities of children, adolescents and adults with Autism in Pennsylvania.  The three finalists were honored at the ABOARD Gala on Saturday, January 23, 2010.  Congratulations Bonnie!

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Children's Author Donates Books and Mural to LEAP

Pittsburgh native Dana Lynn Mauro, author of Go Green and Giggle with Sunflower Suzi, a children's book featuring the antics of the Gigglin' Garden Gang, donated a number of her books to Watson's LEAP Preschool library.  This book features over a dozen characters that giggle in their garden and has a special surprise ending.

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CareBreak Program Receives National Recognition

Mary Jo Alimena Caruso, coordinator of Watson's CareBreak program, received the national Innovative Respite Design Award for excellence in the innovative delivery of respite services at the 12th Annual National Respite Conference Awards Dinner. 

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CareBreak Volunteer and Family Receive Award

The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern PA has been leading the local movement to connect young people with caring adults.  At their recent event in October, The Magic of Mentoring, they honored CareBreak volunteer Christina Royster and her CareBreak family members James Convard and Malcolm Mobley with the Mentor/Mentee Relationship Award. 

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The Watson Institute Named a Regional ASERT Autism Center

The PA Department of Public Welfare recently named The Watson Institute one of the Western Region organizations comprising the Autism Service, Education, Research and Training (ASERT) Center.  The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center will coordinate the western region of Pennsylvania from Erie in the North to Fayette and Greene counties in the South.

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Autism Training DVDs Available for Purchase
Two New Titles Recently Added

Through grants from PNC Bank Foundation and FISA Foundation, Watson consultants have produced a series of DVDs on various topics related to autism.  Using classrooms and programs as laboratory sites to film the training sessions, the DVDs are a key component in our plans to share our expertise with organizations and individuals anywhere in the world who face the same challenges of educating increasing numbers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.  Topics include:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders:  An Overview
• Embedding IEP Goals in the Daily Schedule
• Using Sensory Strategies in the Classroom
• Utilizing the Preschool Environment to Promote Play and Social Skills
• Encouraging Communication in the Classroom
• Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
• Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
• Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders - NEW!
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders - NEW!

The DVDs are available for $21.95 each or $168 for the set, a savings of 15%. 

Click here for a detailed description of each title.

Click here to download an order form or call Shari Bruce at 412-749-2851 for more information.

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Focus On Children
A Weekly Talk Show on PCNC

The Watson Institute hosted a weekly talk show on WPXI's Cable TV station PCNC during the first quarter of 2009. 

Focus On Children featured Watson professionals sharing information on various topics regarding children's developmental, educational and mental health issues.  The program was hosted by KDKA Radio 1020 Lifestyle Editor Shelley Duffy.

Watson is grateful for the support of our show sponsor, First National Bank.

For complimentary copies of any show contact Shari Bruce at 412-749-2851 or sharib@thewatsoninstitute.org.  Topics:

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The Watson Difference Newsletter

Click Here for a copy of Watson's most recent newsletter - Fall 2009.

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Does Your Business Qualify to Receive Additional Tax Credits for Donations to the Watson Institute?

The Watson Institute is an approved Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) under the Department of Community and Economic Development's EITC Tax Credit program.  We are also now and approved Scholarship Organization (SO) under the program as well.  Qualifying businesses can earn tax credits of up to 75 or 90 percent of an EITC donation, depending on business' length of commitment to Watson.

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Watch Watson's new informational video!

It was "lights, camera, action!" in the spring, when Watson staff and students took part in the filming of Watson's new informational video. The video will be used to help share Watson's story with parents, school district staff, professionals in the education and mental health fields, and those interested in supporting Watson through charitable donations and volunteerism.

Watch it now!

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